"Why this human?" an Angel mused. "She's rather young."

Another sighed. "She is the perfect candidate. She is Kira's weakness. She is everything he stands against."

I woke up; honestly, I'd never felt better! The sun was shining, and I was almost looking forward to school. What could possibly go wrong?

The Life Note was on my desk. The angel hovered above.

"Sayu Yagami," they greeted. "You are-"

"BLAH BLAH BLAH," I covered my eyes, like I did when my brother gave me a homework lecture, "NOT LISTENING!"

The Angel continued to speak, "You must be the one to stop the being known as Kira."

"Wha- me?!" I broke into manic laughter. "Stop Kira?! No way! I…" I trailed off. "I'm not smart, okay?!"

Lightie was the smart one, not me. I was just his kid sister. His kid sister who got awful grades.

"You have been chosen," the angel said.

"How many times do I have to say it?" I asked. "I don't care!"

I glared at that stupid piece-of-crap Life Note. That dumb thing was the cause of all this.

"What are you doing?" the angel asked.

I opened up my window, chucking the notebook outside. I closed the window, dusting off my hands.

The angel just stared at me, like an idiot.

"There," I spun around, "now I can-"

I stopped. The Life Note was back on my desk. I clenched my fists.

"So that's how it's gonna be, huh?" I snapped.

"Sayu…" the Angel sighed, like Mom when she was getting angry.

I knew exactly what I had to do. I raced downstairs; Mom was awake, and Dad was still at work. This whole Kira business had been keeping him away for so long.

I held my breath. I didn't have Light's brains, but I liked to think I had his ambition.

I headed over to the kitchen desk, eyeing the drawers. Mom stared at me.

"Oh, Sayu!" she chirped. "You're awake! How are you feeling?"

"Ummmm," I looked around like an awkward idiot, "doing great! I feel much much much better!"

Ugh, so many words. She was gonna see through it. I needed to get out of there ASAP.

"Just looking for… um, some spare paper," I lied, fishing through the drawer.

Ah ha! I found the matchbox.

"Oh, it's not in there," Mom chuckled, "it's in the other cupboard!"

"Oh, yeah," I stuffed the matchbox in my back pocket, "silly me."

To keep her happy, I grabbed a piece of paper as well. Then I headed back upstairs, promising her I'd be back down soon for breakfast. I stormed into my room, feeling like a badass.

Okay, you, I glared at the Life Note, it's been fun, but your time is over!

Bringing out my inner mad scientist, I lit up a match.

"You must listen," the Angel pleaded.

"You're next," I threatened, holding out the match.

Now, you've probably figured out that this is a terrible, awful idea. My excuse? I was 14. Shut up.

So, yeah, I set the book on fire. I felt like a maniac, a sadistic arsonist, all that and so much more.

I opened up the window, letting out the smoke. I wanted to laugh, like a cartoon villain. I collapsed onto the floor, my arms shaking so bad.

The angel said nothing. I glanced at my desk.

The book was back.

What the hell… I had to hold back a scream.

Tears burned behind my eyes. I fell over, sobbing and crying, like a little kid. I was 4 years old all over again, sobbing my little heart out.

"Sayu?"

Mom was there, her brow furrowed in concern. She pushed the door open.

"Mom…" I sat up. My hair was clumping around my face.

Mom sighed, sitting opposite me. She moved forward, holding me close.

"This Kira business is really getting to you, isn't it?" she asked.

"I hate Kira," I sobbed into her arms.

"I know it's hard, but you have to stay strong," Mom told me. "You have to focus on your own life and your studies. If you keep worrying about Kira all the time, you'll never get anything done."

I wanted to tell her about the Angel, the Life Note, everything, but I knew she wouldn't believe me. I love Mom, really, but she's so harsh. So callous. Most people would say Dad is the strong one, but really, it was Mom.

"Yeah," I mumbled. "You're right…"

"You have to go to school," Mom continued, helping me up.

I grimaced. It was like a ball and chain were holding me down, but she was right. Perhaps speaking to Mei and the others would help me clear my head.

"Alright," I sighed. "Thanks, Mom."

Mom kissed my forehead. "See you downstairs."

I was alone with the Angel. It simply stared back with its multiple eyes.

"Well?" I glared at it. "You won."

The Angel tilted its head. "Pardon?"

"You won," I repeated. "I give up. I can't get rid of the Life Note."

"You accept your responsibilities?" the Angel asked.

"Yeah, yeah," I sighed. "Fine."

I gazed back at the Life Note, grabbing it.

"I'm going to school now," I told the Angel. "Do you have to come with me, or…?"

"I am your Guardian Angel," it replied. "I shall accompany you everywhere."

"Lucky me," I rolled my eyes. "By the way… do you have a name? I don't wanna have to keep calling you 'my Angel' or whatever."

"You may refer to me as you please," the Angel told me.

"Ugh," I massaged my brow. "I'll just call you… hmm, how about Asshole?"

The Angel didn't seem bothered at all. "If that is what you desire."

"You really don't care, huh?" I chuckled. "Ugh. I can't call you Asshole, I'll burst out laughing during the middle of an exam or something!" I snapped my fingers. "I'll just call you… Guardian."

"Very well," the Angel - or Guardian as they were called - replied.

They kept staring at me. I looked away.

"So… no one else can see you?" I asked.

"They cannot," Guardian replied.

"And no one else can see the Life Note," I said. "How am I supposed to tell people about it…?"

"I would recommend keeping it a secret," Guardian told me, "lest you attract the attention of Kira."

Thatttt was a good point. But I wasn't good at keeping secrets.

"I'll try," I muttered.

School was going to be interesting.

"Sayuuuu!"

Mei was running over to me, her eyes wide.

"Meiiiiiiiii!" I squealed, embracing her.

It was so good to see her. Suddenly, I was reminded that not everything in life had gone to Hell. My best friend was right there.

Some of our other friends came over, waving. I breathed out. Okay. This was going okay.

"Wow, you look tired," Mei told me. "Are you okay?"

I swallowed, feeling Guardian on my shoulder.

"Y-yeah," I got out, "just, um… stressed. I'm behind on everything, y'know."

"Your brother's a super-genius," Mei replied, "get him to help you with homework!"

I grimaced. If only it was just homework.

"Anyway, were you watching the news last night?" Mei asked. "That whole thing with that Lind L Tailor guy!"

Queasiness was rising up.

"He died, then he came back to life, I think…" Mei continued, "and Kira's in the Kanto region! They could be any one of us!"

My palms were all sweaty.

"So, y'know…" Mei trailed off. She stared at me. "Are you okay, Sayu? You don't look very well…"

Dammit, I thought. I shouldn't have come to school today. I should've told Mom I was sick.

"I… I need to go to the bathroom," I got out, running off.

I raced into the bathroom, collapsing against the toilet. My breathing was almost out of control. I sobbed, hair clumping against my week cheeks.

"Sayu…" Guardian spoke up.

"I can't do it," I whimpered. "I just- I can't do it."

Giving up just as I'd started. That was very me, wasn't it.

"You have the power of the gods," Guardian told me.

"I… I don't want it," I continued. "How the hell am I supposed to use godly power? I can't even do my homework." I looked away. "I'm not the right person, Guardian. Find someone else."

That was it. That was my truth. I was weak. I was stupid. And nothing would ever change.

"The Life Note chose you," Guardian reminded me.

"The Life Note chose wrong," I sobbed. "Why not give it to my brother? He's super duper smart. He'd know what to do."

Light was the strong one. He was the one who did everything right. He was perfect. And who was I, but just the girl who was related to him. I was fine with it. I had to be.

Before Guardian could respond, another voice cried out:

"Sayu!"

I sat up. Mei had followed me in!

"Mei…" I slowly opened the bathroom door. Mei raced forward, wrapping her arms around me.

"I don't know what's wrong, but I'm here for you," Mei told me.

My cheeks were flushed. Mei really was the best friend I could ask for.

"Come on," Mei held my hand. "Let's go to class. I'll help you with homework as best I can!"

I sniffled. I was so glad to have her.